Too bad Oakland has such a crappy pay roll, would love to see them succeed. This move seems pretty surprising, they'll have a hell of a time competing over the next few years with what they have. Didn't see this one coming at all, he almost seemed destined for Miami.

Yeah I'd rather them extend Ells than sign another overpaid outfielder. With Crawford making 21m a year I'm kinda worried about whether or not they will dish out money to keep Ells, and I'm wondering how interested he is with staying.

Signed with Oakland for 4 years 36M... Too bad Oakland has such a crappy pay roll, would love to see them succeed. This move seems pretty surprising, they'll have a hell of a time competing over the next few years with what they have. Didn't see this one coming at all, he almost seemed destined for Miami.Posted by Bisson1

Fun gamble. With the looming move to San Jose and a potential stud like Yoenis in the fold, the A's will be a buzz club for a minute anyway. Of course, if he turns out to be less than youtube-advertised ...

San Jose is only thirty-eight miles from Oakland and they would still be in the Giants market / television area? I guess that the Oakland environment cuts down on ballpark attendance. I read that many ballplayers refuse to sign with Oakland because of the unsafe environment.

San Jose is only thirty-eight miles from Oakland and they would still be in the Giants market / television area? I guess that the Oakland environment cuts down on ballpark attendance. I read that many ballplayers refuse to sign with Oakland because of the unsafe environment.Posted by LadyLake

Ohh, I was trying to figure out why they would relocate so close... Hope it works out for them.

San Jose is only thirty-eight miles from Oakland and they would still be in the Giants market / television area? I guess that the Oakland environment cuts down on ballpark attendance. I read that many ballplayers refuse to sign with Oakland because of the unsafe environment.Posted by LadyLake

Yeah, the area is a factor. 2 other factors weigh heavily as well: 1. Oakland is close enough to SF that the Giants suck up much of the potential fan base, whereas SJ, while still retaining SF/Oakland base, is like a totally separate city/area, so there will be a new infux of fans for sure 2. The Oakland Cooliseum is quite possible the worst stadium in the league (after the Trop). A new stadium can be nothing but good, wherever it is.

The Oakland Athletics always keep their payroll near the bottom of the league and get their prospects through trades. Signing one long-term is not going to be in their plans.

Odds: Zero

25. Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim

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The Angels went for the kill this offseason, signing Albert Pujols and C.J. Wilson on an already fairly loaded roster. They're not going to add a player who might be good alongside the gems.

Odds: Zero

24. Los Angeles Dodgers

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The Dodgers are out of the race like their crosstown counterparts, but for an entirely different reason. After the Matt Kemp extension and the ownership issue this offseason, they don't really have the time or money to take on any serious projects right now.

Odds: Zero

23. Arizona Diamondbacks

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After acquiring Jason Kubel in free agency, the Arizona Diamondbacks have too many players at the outfield position, if anything. Adding a fifth potential starter would just be silly.

Odds: Zero

22. St. Louis Cardinals

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Like the Diamondbacks, the Cardinals are well stocked at the outfield position, especially with the addition of Carlos Beltran. There's nowhere to put Cespedes even if they did want him.

Odds: Zero

21. San Diego Padres

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The Padres would actually be a nice fit for Cespedes, as he could slide right into a corner outfield spot and produce immediately. Having said that, the Padres don't have the payroll to even try to acquire him.

Odds: Zero

20. Tampa Bay Rays

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Like the Padres, this could be a good fit for Cespedes, since they could have Matt Joyce DH and plug in the five-tool player alongside Sam Fuld and B.J .Upton. Also like the Padres, they don't have the resources to make that move.

Odds: Zero

19. Milwaukee Brewers

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Whether or not Ryan Braun actually sits out 50 games is irrelevant in this case, since Braun and Corey Hart have the corner outfield spots down pat. There's nowhere for Cespedes to fit in unless they put him at first, rendering his five-tool skill set useless.

Odds: Zero

18. Kansas City Royals

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The Royals could feasibly plug in Cespedes in center field to replace Melky Cabrera, but given all their farm talent ready to make their presence known, I don't see them adding in anyone else.

Odds: Zero

17. Colorado Rockies

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While the Rockies have been looking to shop Seth Smith, they did acquire Michael Cuddyer this offseason, so as a result I don't see them adding in Cespedes anywhere.

Odds: Zero

16. Atlanta Braves

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The Atlanta Braves seem to have a solid outfield, though they are looking to trade Martin Prado and upgrade with a natural outfielder. Given all their prospects, this is the first team I feel comfortable giving any odds whatsoever to, even though they're the longest of long shots.

Odds: 1,000 to 1

15. Boston Red Sox

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Because J.D. Drew is likely going to retire, it's not out of the question for the Red Sox to be taking a bit of a look at Cespedes. They won't be in the running, but I'm sure the possibility of acquiring him has crossed their minds this offseason.

Odds: 800 to 1

14. Texas Rangers

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The Texas Rangers could feasibly plug Cespedes in at center field, giving them a five-tool player to go with a mostly power lineup. They spent most of their money on Yu Darvish already, so adding in another foreign big name would be a big risk. However, that doesn't mean there's no chance.

Odds: 700 to 1

13. Seattle Mariners

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While the Seattle Mariners outfield has Franklin Gutierrez and Ichiro Suzuki already, adding Cespedes may not be a bad move, as it gives them another dimension.

The type of player they need in the lineup, however, isn't what Cespedes is, so it's a big longshot; they might come in it late just because they missed out on Prince Fielder.

Odds: 500 to 1

12. New York Mets

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The New York Mets sent Angel Pagan out and no longer has Carlos Beltran, meaning that the opportunity is definitely there for Cespedes to start immediately and help carry the team.

Having said that, they're still dealing with Jason Bay's contract in the corner outfield spot, and GM Sandy Alderson seems to be iffy about acquiring anyone after the Fausto Carmona incident right now. Still, that could be a strange diversion for all we know.

Odds: 400 to 1

11. Minnesota Twins

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I'm surprised that there's no discussion whatsoever with the Twins and Cespedes, since on the surface it looks like a great fit. Delmon Young and Michael Cuddyer are gone, leaving fairly gaping holes in the corner outfield spots.

The addition of Cespedes could help them bounce back from a terrible 2011, so I think they could be a secret dark horse team—even if no one else anywhere is combining these two.

Odds: 300 to 1

10. Washington Nationals

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The Nationals signed a corner outfielder in Jayson Werth last year that didn't work out, so they would be ambivalent about picking up Cespedes. Still, they're always in free agent talks, seemingly as a rule, and have to be in the top 10.

The top 10 teams, realistically, are the only 10 in the running for Cespedes—with the Nationals on the outside track—since if they were really interested in him, we would know about it.

Odds: 100 to 1

9. Baltimore Orioles

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Perhaps it's a surprise that I'm putting one of the six frontrunners in already. the Orioles could definitely put him into their lineup immediately, and he would boost their farm system.

Here's the thing though. They've been in talked with players left and right all offseason, yet never pulled the trigger on any of them. I see them as a smokescreen, a team being thrown in to throw others off; they won't make a serious offer.

Odds: 80 to 1

8. Philadelphia Phillies

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The Philadelphia Phillies already made a few big moves this offseason, so the odds of them really geting Cespedes are slim. Still, they are considered a potential longshot for a reason.

With Raul Ibanez entering free agency and not likely to return, there's a spot at left field that Cespedes can jump right in. They have enough power in the lineup so he can work his way into being a star, just as long as he can do it in a season since they want to win now.

Odds: 75 to 1

7. Detroit Tigers

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After the signing of Prince Fielder, I had to decide how far to knock down the Tigers on the Cespedes sweepstakes rankings, since a lot of their money was now gone. They fell all the way to seventh.

That's right, even with the signing of Fielder, the Tigers still can't be counted out. Cespedes can take over where Magglio Ordonez was in the outfield, and he provides further help with the loss of Victor Martinez, even though they may have no room for Cespedes without trading someone.

Odds: 50 to 1

6. Toronto Blue Jays

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Putting a guy like Cespedes across from Jose Bautista would make the Toronto Blue Jays a force to be reckoned with in the AL East. They are considered a longshot like the Nationals, but they have been discussed.

I think that he fits better with what the Blue Jays have than with some other teams, plus they did almost acquire Yu Darvish, so they're willing to spend the money. They're the longshot I feel most comfortable about, with one exception.

Odds: 25 to 1

5. New York Yankees

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While the New York Yankees are technically considered a longshot, you can never really count them out of anything, especially given the skill set that Yoenis Cespedes has.

The Yankees have a stocked outfield already, but they could easily move Nick Swisher to DH, or move other positions around as needed to fit in Cespedes. They obviously have the funds as well, so don't be surprised if they make a late charge.

Odds: 20 to 1

4. Chicago White Sox

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The Chicago White Sox have been unpredictable this offseason as it is, so signing Cespedes feels like it would make sense. Add in their lack of an outfield due to trading Carlos Quentin and losing Juan Pierre, and he would fit right in.

However, the White Sox have their hands in all the recent Cuban prospects, and did in fact sign Dayan Viciedo not that long ago. I see them picking at least one up this offseason, but it may be more likely to be another prospect rather than Cespedes. Still, the top four are all likely destinations.

Odds: 5 to 1

3. Cleveland Indians

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The Indians have certainly had the quietest free agency of the top four teams, but perhaps they were biding their time for the right free agent; Cespedes would certainly be that.

While they have Shin-soo Choo in right field, Cespedes could easily grab one of the other two spots. He would also provide some pop with his bat. Besides, if the Indians were serious about winning, which it seemed like they were with the Ubaldo Jimenez trade, then this is the next step.

Odds: 4 to 1

2. Miami Marlins

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Logan Morrison noted that Yoenis Cespedes would be a big risk for the Marlins. I found the saying to be very fitting for a number of reasons.

Risk has been the name of the game for the Marlins this offseason, seeing as how they picked up Jose Reyes. If he's major league ready sooner rather than later, it's tough to say where he would end up fitting in; heck, Morrison might be the one on the trading block if that happens.

Odds: 3 to 1

1. Chicago Cubs

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While it's not certain that they're going to end up with him, I feel comfortable saying that the Chicago Cubs are the most likely destination for Cespedes.

They are rebuilding, and he can be an instrumental part of that. He can fit right in the outfield alongside Alfonso Soriano and Marlon Byrd, and he may be able to make the rest of the team better without the Cubs (hopefully) having to spend an obscene amount.

Amazing that we were interested in him and then nothing. Management is looking to reduce payroll on this team, you can see it from all the cheap question marks that they picked up this offseason aside from Melancen and Bailey who do have cheaper salaries. Larry Luccino is spaeking with forked tongue about increasing payroll. I will believe it when I see it.

Signed with Oakland for 4 years 36M... Too bad Oakland has such a crappy pay roll, would love to see them succeed. This move seems pretty surprising, they'll have a hell of a time competing over the next few years with what they have. Didn't see this one coming at all, he almost seemed destined for Miami.Posted by Bisson1

Beane is a smart guy, it shows the trust the A's FO has in his baseball knowledge. It will be interesting to see the impact he makes for them.

Odd move. First they trade off all their pitchers for future prospects, to win 3-4 years down the road. then they sign a guy that will be gone 4 years down the road. Not to mention that they traded for Reddicl and Taylor, and signed Cespedes and Crisp.

In Response to Re: Yoenis Cespedes : Yeah, the area is a factor. 2 other factors weigh heavily as well: 1. Oakland is close enough to SF that the Giants suck up much of the potential fan base, whereas SJ, while still retaining SF/Oakland base, is like a totally separate city/area, so there will be a new infux of fans for sure 2. The Oakland Cooliseum is quite possible the worst stadium in the league (after the Trop). A new stadium can be nothing but good, wherever it is.Posted by SpacemanEephus

That was my thought as well. Showcase him for a year and then take some offers. Of course this strategy backfires completely is Cespedes doesn't have a good year but if he even produces decent numbers and shows flashes of the high ceiling we've heard about, 9 million a year is very marketable.

This is a big gamble for Beane and the boys in Oakland. I agree with a lot of you, in that, Oakland is looking for this guy to have a decent year and to flip him for prospects.

The problem will be if Cespedes is more hype than phenom. If he is a bust they could be stuck with the contract. It would be excellent for Oakland if he ended batting like Alfonso Soriano (circa 2002) instead of Alfonso Soriano (circa 2011.)

But there is no guarantee that is going to happen. This guy is far from proven and the Major Leagues are a big step up from Cuban ball, anyone can attest to that.

If it works out for them, great, but it's a gamble and it better work out, or Beane could be on the hotseat...

In Response to Re: Yoenis Cespedes : I wouldnt call the Sox payroll cheap or even a reduction. The Sox, as are the Yankees making a conscientious decision to avoid the morally wrong luxury tax by all means. There is no need to debate why teams dont want to pay the tax, but the Sox don't. Still, having the payroll north of $175 mil is not cheap. I still prefer the cheap question marks such as Melancon and Bailey over the expensive question marks such as Bell, Wilson and Cespedes. Prefer to spend the big money on known commodities such as Agon, Ortiz, Ellsbury and Beckett.Posted by rkarp

I just read in another thread a post by Moonslav where he itemized the payroll including the Papi final salary and it adds up to $176 mil which is just barely below the luxury tax threshhold.